1. Statehood Day: July 1 marks Statehood Day, the day when Illinois officially became a state in 1818. The Illinois Constitution was drafted in Kaskaskia by a group of 41 delegates between August 26 and August 28, 1818, and the constitution was ratified and adopted on December 3, 1818.

2. Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace: July 1, 1862, was the day Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law, allowing settlers to claim land in the west. Lincoln's birthplace, located in Hodgenville, Kentucky, is just across the border from Illinois and is a popular tourist destination.

3. Chicago's First Streetcar: On July 1, 1859, the first streetcar in Chicago began to operate along State Street between Lake and Van Buren. The streetcars were pulled by horses and proved to be a popular and efficient mode of transportation, helping to fuel the growth of the city.

4. Chicago Blackhawks Founded: On July 1, 1926, the Chicago Blackhawks were founded as one of the first American teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blackhawks have since won six Stanley Cup championships and are a beloved sports franchise in Chicago.

5. World's Columbian Exposition: The World's Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago on May 1, 1893, but it was on July 1 of that year that the Ferris Wheel was officially dedicated. The Ferris Wheel, designed and built by George Ferris, Jr., was a marvel of engineering and became one of the most popular attractions at the fair.